New Delhi/Islamabad, May 23
Prime Minister-elect Narendra Modi’s invitation to his Pakistani counterpart Nawaz Sharif for his swearing-in on Monday has put the entire Pakistani establishment in a fix.
It is understood that while the Pakistan Foreign Office is in favour of Sharif travelling to Delhi for the oath-taking ceremony, the Army appears disclined. It is a known fact that Pakistan’s policy on India is decided by the all-powerful Army.
Those coming
Hamid Karzai, Afghanistan Prez
Mahinda Rajapaksa, Sri Lankan
Prez
Navin Ramgoolam, Mauritius PM
Tshering Tobgay, Bhutan PM
Sushil Koirala, Nepal PM
AYA Gayoom, Maldivian Prez
Shirin Chaudhury, B’desh Speaker
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Suspense continued throughout the day on whether Sharif would accept the invitation or ask President Mamnoon Hussain, his Adviser on Foreign Affairs Sartaj Aziz or his brother and Punjab province Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif to attend the ceremony. Sharif personally is said to be in favour of the visit and meet Modi.
Modi’s surprise move has sparked a debate in Pakistan on whether the invite should be honoured in view of the non-acceptance of Sharif’s invitation to Manmohan Singh for his swearing-in
in May last year.
An Indian official said one could understand Sharif’s dilemma. “If he skips the event, it will send negative signals to India and the world at large, but the acceptance of the invite could trigger a backlash from hardliners in Pakistan,” he said.
Though the BJP’s victory in the elections was cautiously received in Pakistan because of the party’s hard-line position on issues concerning Pakistan, Islamabad’s official position has been that it would comprehensively and meaningfully engage with the Modi government.
In Delhi, MEA spokesperson Syed Akbaruddin said while seven foreign leaders have confirmed their participation in the swearing-in ceremony, New Delhi was awaiting Islamabad’s
response.
Leaders from SAARC countries and the Prime Minister of Mauritius would grace the occasion. He indicated that Modi would hold informal talks with the visiting leader and host a banquet in their honour. “Short duration” bilateral meetings were scheduled for May 27, taking into account the departure schedule of the visiting leaders.
The invitation to Sharif has sparked a debate in Pakistan.
Hardliners like Hafiz Saeed of JUD said Modi had been provoking Hindus against Muslims and used provocative language against Pakistan. He warned Sharif against making hasty decisions that may harm the interests of Indian and Kashmiri Muslims and Pakistan’s larger strategic interests.
But three major parties, the PPP, Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf (PTI) of Imran Khan and Maula Fazlur Rehman's JUI have welcomed the invitation and supported the view that the PM should respond positively.
Former ambassador to New Delhi and Afghanistan Aziz Ahmed, while urging the PM to accept the invitation, said Modi had made a good gesture and created an opportunity for improving bilateral ties which must not be missed. He said a meeting with Modi would mean bilateral talks on a ceremonial occasion which would be free from the burden of formal talks.
Sharif had called up Modi to congratulate him on his party’s election victory and invited him to visit Pakistan after assuming office.
